explained not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explained not to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate that something was explained in a way that advised against a certain action, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "He was explained not to proceed with the plan, but he did it anyway."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I took an oath to protect and serve," Officer Carroll explained, "not to sit and watch, not to pass by".

The New York Times

Victory belonged to the team, he explained, not to any one rider, not even its leader and the winner of five consecutive Tours de France.

The New York Times - Sports

The Steelers linebacker James Harrison delivered two helmet-to-helmet hits against the Browns (earning a seventy-five-thousand-dollar fine) and later told reporters that he aimed to hurt players on the field (though, he explained, not to injure them).

The New Yorker

The charity had no expertise managing property, the executive explained -- not to mention tax liabilities, the mortgage and any number of possible surprises.

Forbes

The charity had no expertise managing property, the executive explained — not to mention tax liabilities, the mortgage and any number of possible surprises.

Forbes

Book writer Craig Lucas also throws in some murky issues about the Resistance that are poorly explained, not to mention a wealthy American patroness of the arts named Milo (Jill Paice).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

All this she couldn't explain, not to him.

The New Yorker

He said, however, that his purpose was to explain, not to accuse.

The New York Times

In the past the doctor tried to explain not to rush to cut the cord on the perineum but was not successful.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The goal, he explained, was not to stigmatize public housing.

The New York Times

You need to explain, but not to over-explain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "explained not to" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "advised against", "warned not to", or "instructed not to" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Don't assume that "explained not to" is a standard construction. It can sound unnatural to native English speakers. Choose more common and direct alternatives to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explained not to" functions as a complex verb phrase attempting to convey both an explanation and a form of dissuasion or instruction. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explained not to" is an awkward and uncommon construction in English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's generally better to opt for clearer and more direct alternatives like "advised against", "warned not to", or "instructed not to". While the phrase attempts to combine explanation with dissuasion, it often falls short of providing clear communication. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its infrequency and questionable grammatical status suggest avoiding it in formal or professional writing. For clarity and impact, choose established alternatives to convey your message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advised not to

Focuses on giving guidance against a specific action, emphasizing the recommendation aspect.

advised against doing

Specifically targets an action, advising against its execution.

cautioned against

Highlights the potential risks or negative consequences associated with an action.

counseled against

Suggests offering advice with the intention to influence someone's decision, usually regarding a serious matter.

warned not to

Emphasizes the potential danger or serious consequences of an action.

dissuaded from

Emphasizes the effort to actively convince someone not to do something.

instructed not to

Implies a formal or authoritative direction against a particular action.

told not to

A more direct and informal way of indicating a prohibition.

recommended against

Suggests that a particular action is not advisable based on experience or expertise.

discouraged from

Implies an attempt to persuade someone not to take a particular course of action.

FAQs

What does "explained not to" mean?

The phrase "explained not to" is an uncommon and somewhat awkward construction. It's generally interpreted as providing an explanation while simultaneously advising against a particular action. However, it's better to use clearer alternatives.

Is "explained not to" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "explained not to" is not considered standard English. It's advisable to use more conventional phrases like "advised not to" or "warned against" for better clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "explained not to" for better clarity?

Instead of saying "He explained not to touch the wire", try "He "advised against touching" the wire" or "He "warned him not to" touch the wire". These alternatives are more direct and easier to understand.

What are some alternatives to "explained not to" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, use phrases such as "instructed not to", "recommended against", or "cautioned against" to maintain a professional tone and ensure clarity. Avoid "explained not to" as it may sound unnatural or ambiguous.